The AIVL Users’ Legal Guide is designed to provide a quick reference summary of the main laws about illicit drugs, sexual, public health, and discrimination law.
Drug law in Australia is extremely complex and changes from state to state significantly.
Recently there has been more consistency between states with new laws aimed at preventing the use of synthetic or newly emerging ‘legal highs’. These legal responses have been developed after consultation between all Australian governments but the main laws still remain inconsistent and patchwork.
Drug laws can be changed quickly and without much notice or media attention. It is important not to act on or rely on advice from other people about drug laws – there are so many legal myths and out-dated information in circulation that it is easy to act on a false belief. The consequences of a mistake of fact can be life changing. The only way to be certain that you are not at risk of getting into trouble
with drug laws is to avoid being involved with drugs.